World Briefing / PAKISTAN

5 killed in missile strike in tribal area

A suspected militant hide-out near the Afghan border was destroyed in a missile strike that killed at least five people, Pakistani officials said.

Four intelligence officials said the missiles destroyed a compound near Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal region. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

Initial reports from the area indicated that between five and 10 people were killed and several others wounded, but there were no details about their identities, the officials said. It was not known who carried out the attack.

Pakistan's tribal regions are believed to provide sanctuary to pro-Taliban insurgents fighting in Afghanistan as well as members of Al Qaeda, including its top two leaders, Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri.